JIRI PROCHAZKA is re matching Glover Teixeira so as to keep his "word" to the former light-heavyweight champion.<br /><br />Prochazka ascended to the 205lb throne in June with a thrilling submission victory over the veteran at UFC 265 in Singapore.<br /><br />The pride of the Czech Republic survived the biggest scare of his UFC career early in the final round before choking his way to the light-heavyweight strap.<br /><br />A rematch - which an unsatisfied Prochazka called for after his triumph - is currently in the works for December, despite surging contender Magomed Ankalaev's ninth consecutive victory last month.<br /><br />The prospect of locking horns with Ankalaev intrigues Prochazka, but not enough for him to go back on his promise to Teixeira.<br /><br />The 29-year-old told SunSport: "For me, it doesn't matter [who I fight next]. I know I'm at the top and I will challenge whoever.<br /><br />"But, I said Glover and I want to keep my word."<br /><br />Although there was a definitive ending to their light-heavyweight classic, Prochazka is seeking decisive closure second time around.<br /><br />He continued: "I want to keep my word so that's the same. I want to challenge Glover. And [win the] fight with him clearly."<br /><br />Prochazka made it clear to the UFC brass that turning in a better performance against Glover in a rematch whet his appetite more than facing Ankalaev or former champion Jan Blachowicz.<br /><br />He said: "I spoke with the organization and the best way will be to defend the title against Glover because everybody wants that fight.<br /><br />"Everybody saw that Glover deserves that fight because I won 20 seconds before the end of the fight.<br /><br />"I think that will be the best case right now.<br /><br />"But I'm ready and I'll be ready for the other challengers in Ankalaev or Blachowicz - it doesn't matter."<br /><br />Prochazka has provided nothing but highlights during his two-year stint in the mixed martial arts' premier promotion.<br /><br />The former RIZIN light-heavyweight champion made a spectacular debut on Fight Island in July 2020, knocking former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir out cold in just under six minutes.<br /><br />Prochazka then scored an outrageous spinning-back elbow knockout of former title challenger Dominick Reyes ten months later - a victory that bagged him a crack at UFC gold.<br /><br />And he sensationally edged a Fight of the Year contender with Teixeira with a rear-naked choke with a mere 28 seconds on the clock to become the Czech Republic's first UFC champion.
